He who aspires after the title of poet should never, indeed, forget, that the end of poetry is to amuse the fancy and pow ertiilly to excite the feelings, and that this is effected by impressing the mind with the most vivid pictures. In the course of her operations, poetry hurries us beyond the reach of sober judgment, and captivates by rousing the energy of passion. Here then we see the cause of the power of verse, nor wonder at the efficaciousness which has, more especial ly in early times, been ascribed to the mu ses. For how easily are mankind guided by those who possess the art of awaken ing or of allaying their feelings. Though all unconscious of being under the guid ance of another, they turn obedient to the rein. They are roused to insurrec tion, or moderated to peace, by him who can touch with a skilful hand the master springs that regulate the motions of their minds. " The primary aim of a poet," says Dr. Blair, 's is to please and to move ; and therefore it is to the imagination and the passions that he speaks. He may, and he ought to have it in his view, to in struct and to reform but it is indirectly, and by pleasing and moving, that he ac complishes this end. His mind is sup posed to be animated by some interesting object, which fires his imagination, or engages his passions ; and which of course communicates to his style a pecu liar elevation, suited to his ideas, very different from that mode of expression which is natural to the mind in its calm ordinary state." As then it appears to be the leading end of poetry to make a lively impres sion on the feelings, we may judge as it were d priori of the amazing intense ness of its powers, and we shall find our judgment verified when we come to in quire into the fact. In consequence of the efficacy of poetry upon the human &elings, the maxims of early wisdom, the first records of history, the solemn offices of religion, nay even the dictates of law, were delivered in the poetic dress.
In the infancy of states, poetry is a me- thod equally captivating and powerful of forming the dispositions of the people, and kindling in their hearts that love of glory which is their country's safeguard in the day of peril. Whether we look to the cold regions of Scandinavia, or the delicious clime of Greece ; whether we contemplate the North American Indian, or the wild Arab of the desert ; we find, that when mankind have made a certain progress in society, they are strongly in fluenced by a love of song, and listen with raptured attention to the strains that re cord the tale of other times, and the deeds of heroes of old. They listen tilt they imbibe the enthusiasm of warfare, and in the day of battle the hero's arm Peas not unfrequently been nerved by the rough energy of the early bard. It is a well known fact, that the Greeks were 1. accustomed to march to the fight while singing in praise of Apollo, and that the songs written in honour of Harmodius and Aristogiton, by being habitually re cited at their banquets and solemn festi vals, tended in no inconsiderable degree to preserve among the Athenians an thusiastic love of liberty. Nor is the power of the muses done away by the progress of civilization. Every nation, at every period of its existence, possesses some indigenous poetry, which nourishes the flame of patriotism.
Such is the wonderful influence of po etical composition. Like all other pow erful instruments, it may be and it hat been abused. But when directed to wor thy objects, it is one of the most pleasant and most efficacious means of forming the youthful mind, and of exciting the emotions and enforcing the principles of virtue.